TLDRs:
- US jury orders Apple to pay Masimo $634M for smartwatch patent infringement.
- Apple plans to appeal ruling after jury sides with Masimo over tech dispute.
- Masimo claims victory protecting its blood-oxygen monitoring technology innovations.
- Trade restrictions on Apple Watches may continue amid ongoing ITC review.
Apple Inc. has been hit with a $634 million legal judgment after a federal jury in California sided with Masimo Corp., a medical-monitoring technology company, over alleged patent infringement.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, concluded that certain Apple Watch features, including workout mode and heart rate notifications, violated Masimo’s intellectual property rights related to blood-oxygen monitoring.
The decision marks a significant development in a long-running legal battle between the tech giant and the Irvine, California-based medtech firm, which has spanned multiple courts and patents over the last six years. Apple has voiced its disagreement with the verdict and announced plans to appeal.
Apple Disagrees With Verdict
An Apple spokesperson emphasized that the company disputes the ruling, noting that Masimo has previously asserted over 25 patents against Apple, the majority of which were found invalid.
Apple also highlighted that the patent in question expired in 2022 and pertains to older patient monitoring technologies, suggesting that the company’s current smartwatch innovations should not be constrained by historic patents.
“This patent is specific to historical patient monitoring technology from decades ago,” the spokesperson said. “We disagree with the verdict and are pursuing an appeal.”
Masimo Celebrates Major Win
For Masimo, the ruling represents a significant triumph in its effort to defend its technology and intellectual property. The company’s spokesperson described the verdict as “a substantial win in our ongoing mission to protect our innovations.”
The lawsuit is only one branch of the broader legal and trade disputes between Apple and Masimo. The disagreement escalated in 2023 when a U.S. trade tribunal blocked imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, finding that Apple’s devices infringed Masimo patents.
Apple subsequently removed its blood-oxygen monitoring features to comply with the import restrictions, later reintroducing updated technology with U.S. Customs approval in August.
Ongoing Trade and Legal Challenges
The legal saga continues as the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) reviews whether Apple’s updated watch models should remain subject to import restrictions. Meanwhile, Masimo is pursuing further legal action against Customs, and Apple is challenging the import ban in federal appeals court.
Past proceedings have been contentious, including a mistrial in a 2023 trade-secret case after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Apple has also achieved minor victories, such as a $250 ruling in Delaware over claims that Masimo’s smartwatches infringed Apple design patents.
Industry observers suggest that the ruling could have broader implications for Apple, particularly in its wearable technology segment. The decision highlights the complex intersection of technology innovation, intellectual property rights, and international trade regulations.
As Apple moves forward with its appeal, the company faces continued scrutiny over how it integrates third-party technology while navigating patent law. The outcome may influence future developments in smartwatch functionality and corporate approaches to protecting and licensing medical-monitoring innovations.
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